The Struggle Beyond the Mat in Indian Sports

Wrestling Federation of India Chooses Politics Over Sports

Newsreel Asia Insight #81
Dec. 23, 2023

The ousting of the Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations, followed by the election of his close aide as the new president, is a narrative deeply intertwined with the challenges faced by athletes in a system where political power often overshadows gender justice and sporting merit.

Brij Bhushan, a Member of Parliament from the governing Bharatiya Janata Party, faced serious allegations of sexual harassment, leading to widespread outrage and calls for his removal. Wrestlers, including Olympic medallists, courageously stepped forward, demanding justice and a change in leadership. Their fight was against a culture of silence and intimidation that has long been prevalent in Indian sports governance.

The wrestlers’ victory seemed apparent when Brij Bhushan was ousted. However, the subsequent election of his close aide, Sanjay Singh, as the WFI president raised critical questions about the extent of change achieved. This move was seen by many as a mere reshuffling of power, leaving the underlying issues of political influence and gender injustice unaddressed.

Social media posts soon showed Brij Bhushan, garlanded and standing beside Sanjay Singh, with slogans proclaiming “we will continue to dominate,” as noted by Newslaundry, which commented that this imagery strongly suggests that Brij Bhushan still holds significant influence within the federation.

At a press conference in New Delhi on Dec. 22, champion wrestler Sakshi Malik poignantly placed her wrestling shoes on a table, symbolising her retirement, as reported by The Times of India. This quiet gesture marked the end of the career of the only Indian woman wrestler to have won an Olympic medal, without the usual fanfare.

Athletes in India are often caught in a dilemma. Speaking out can mean risking their careers, yet staying silent means accepting a status quo that can be unjust. This why there was silence from other athletes during the wrestlers’ protest. It point to an environment where standing up for what’s right can be career-threatening.

“Over the course of an athlete’s journey, they learn the skills that will take them to the highest echelons of their sport. They also learn that they must show deference to those who govern their sport – who, in India, are most often politicians,” says a report by Scroll.in. “Failing to do so would mean losing the patronage of the state that is crucial for India’s athletes. Often, perceived slights against those in power could mean being ignored for selection for major events.”

So, this silence is not a sign of indifference but a survival strategy in a system where the cost of dissent can be high. The WFI is not a private body; it operates under the authority of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Sadly, media coverage of these issues often skims the surface, focusing on the sensational aspects of protests or leadership changes, as noted by Newslaundry. What gets less attention is the underlying current of fear, the hesitancy of athletes to speak up, and the need for systemic change. When a sports star’s actions or words become headlines, it’s essential to look beyond the immediate and understand the broader context of their struggle.

Reforming sports governance in India requires building structures that are transparent, accountable and focused on the development of sports and athletes.

The global successes of Indian athletes are often celebrated as national triumphs, and rightly so. But these successes should also make us ponder. How much more could our athletes achieve if they were supported by a system that prioritises their welfare and development over political interests?

For the ordinary sports fan, this might seem distant from the excitement of watching a match or cheering for a favourite athlete. But it’s crucial to understand that the performances we celebrate are often achieved despite the system, not because of it. The resilience of Indian athletes, their triumphs on international stages, are stories of personal heroics against a backdrop that doesn’t always support them as it should.

In Indian sports, the field of play is not just limited to the physical arenas. The real match is often against outdated, opaque systems that need reform. For Indian sports to reach its full potential, this is a match we must not lose.